I once raced (and repeat, once) when my wife was pregnant. I still bear the scars to prove it. The emotional scar from her telling me I was the most self centered moron on the planet. (Babys timing was terrible, I was in an airport 500 miles away) and the physical scar from her actually belting me when I got home.

I had a great race! Water was cold, bike was fast and mostly flat, run was hot and sunny (which I tend to like)... I felt great, placed third in my division, #102 overall - not too shabby all things considered...

However, most everyone who competed was shocked to find out that a man in his thirties died during the swim portion of the race. Also, a forty year old woman was taken to the hospital and is still there in critical condition. http://www.townonline.com/cohasset/news/x49775838

This race was held in a very small town area - I knew quite a number of the people that I was racing with as I am sure a lot of the others did too. So this has been quite a shock for everyone.

I did an Olympic distance tri last year when I was only about 3 weeks pregnant. Obviously I didn't know. I was wondering why the run seemed like the longest 10k of my life...Then when I was about 10 weeks prego I ran a 10k race with my baby's grandfather and he didn't even know I was pregnant! Talk about stomach pain! I had cramps left and right!

It's true that there's always a chance of having a big bike wreck during a tri and endangering the fetus. But I still think that it's great you did it. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

I have been running pregnant and the only problem that I've experienced was the nausea of the first trimester. I'm midway through my second trimester and have run 11 miles in the past two days with six miles planned for tomorrow morning. The biggest issue with people is that they think that I am going to literally die when I'm out running due to my "delicate" condition. Western society is one of the few places where pregnant women are treated as fragile- look at our ancestors, though. If humans weren't able to run during pregnancy, we probably would be extinct right now. I'm glad to hear your tri went well, and I hope you keep on running!

Everyone thought I was nuts for doing a 10k race this weekend. I just found out I am having a girl so I am half way there. I ended up placing 1st woman. I felt good throughout the race (besides having to go pee every second). Just make sure you are not out of breath because if you are, so is your baby. Also, as long as you are not cramping you are just fine. I just had to keep reminding myself I am pregnant and this is temporary. I can always do it again next year and do better. Your baby's health is #1 right now. If you are used to running and various activities you will do just fine.

I have three kids and have been doing endurance stuff for 15 years. I ran during my pregnancies and survived and had people telling me I shouldn't be running, etc. The physical activity associated with a short race like a sprint is likely not an issue, BUT wiping out on a bike at 15-20 mph is. I know it sounds cool to say you did a triathlon pregnant, but it is kind of silly if you think about it. In the unlikely event you did miscarry, you would always wonder if the race contributed and you wouldn't forgive yourself. My vote is bag the race and go volunteer for it instead.

If you want something to REALLY prove how tough you are , sign up for a race three months AFTER.

I am guessing that the guy who made the crack comment has either A) NEVER HAD CHILDREN or B) is a male that expects his wife to sit around eating and laying on the couch while pregnant while he is out racing and hitting the bars...just a guess. My husband is one of the most supportive people in the world and he supports my decisions to race and workout while pregnant. If she were riding a bicycle at 20 mph during the second trimester that would be a DIFFERENT STORY! Sorry you had to get a comment like that...although you have handled it well and seem like you are fully aware of the riks (or lack their of). This woman is a cycling instructor (by the way, so am I). She is a fit individual!!!

I have always loved to run and compete in races. I previously mentioned I just did a 10k race and placed 1st woman. I am pregnant with #3 and have done so with all three. I did have a miscarriage between 2 and 3. My doctor told me that running did not cause the miscarriage. She told me that running will not cause a miscarriage to a "well attached baby." My husband constantly reminds me to take it easy like I am disabled or something. I too am not going to sit around and eat bon bons all day. I have been told numberous times, as long as you are not in pain or exhuasted you are just fine to exercise. Enjoy exercise as long as you can! It has made my last two deliveries and post pregnancies so much easier. I feel stronger and bounce back faster to my pre-pregnancy weight. Good luck ya'll!

Racing while 3-5 weeks pregnant is one thing - implantation has basically just begun. Racing while 10 weeks is another. Placental insufficiency (which can be caused from a decrease in blood flow through the placenta) has been shown to cause a multitude of problems in infants - one being neurological complications. Exercise can be safe during pregnancy (I ran until 13 weeks of pregnancy and had 3 healthy children), but in moderation and by keeping an eye on your heart rate. You can find articles to support keeping a reasonable heart rate and those that refute it (make sure you check the credibility and number of research subjects) - but basic common sense tells you a high heart rate will shunt blood and therefore oxygen away from your placenta and baby. Also, a growing abdomen throws off your balance and can result in falls from a bike. I say, don't race - stick to a spinning bike and do the events solo. I work in a NICU and not all OBs are up to date in perinatology.

To lindssimon - activities like running can definately cause a misscarriage or premature baby to a "well-attached baby" - such as an incompetent cervix!